Filtration Apparatus for Cleaning

ABSTRACT

A filter apparatus. The filter apparatus further comprises a filter, a canister, and a trigger, wherein the trigger permits or prevents airflow through the filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/843,159, filed on Jul. 5, 2013, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT NOT APPLICABLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a filter attachment for a cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a HEPA filtration system that may be used in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From time to time, a person may use a vacuum or sweeper machine to clean a mess that has a bad odor, is partially or completely liquid, or has other properties that make it undesirable to store in a standard vacuum bag or canister. In order to clean this mess, the person must use a specialized machine made for a specific purpose or clean the mess by hand.

Of particular interest is the lack of a means in the art to clean, collect, or vacuum odorous insects such as “stink bugs” (insects of the families Pentatomidae and Rhopalidae, for example) without causing the insects to release a foul odor. When these insects are disturbed or damaged, they secrete a foul-smelling cyanide-based liquid which can permanently contaminate the inner workings of a machine such as a vacuum cleaner and can cause a residence or workplace to have a foul smell over time.

Vacuum cleaners containing an internal HEPA filtration system are available for purchase separately, however they are not designed to prevent odors from escaping the bag or canister and are directed to reducing dust and allergens. They are further unable to accommodate liquid messes. These teach away from the present invention because they require the person to purchase and maintain multiple machines to accomplish different purposes.

Machines which divert liquids into a canister by means of suction, often known as “wet/dry vacs” are commercially available. These teach away from the present invention because they focus their cleaning ability on non-dry debris and are often unsuitable for a high level of cleaning, for example, in a soiled residential carpet. They are further not directed at preventing odors from escaping the canister and are directed towards dust management. Notably, the high suction forces created by these machines cause substantial damage to stink bugs, increasing the smell released even as the insects are swept up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in one aspect in a filtration apparatus. The filtration apparatus has a handle, a filter, and a canister. The handle has a trigger which permits or prevents air flow through the filters. The canister collects debris prior to air filtration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the filtration apparatus;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the filtration apparatus;

FIG. 2B is a partial side view of one embodiment showing a trigger mechanism;

FIG. 2C is a partial side view of one embodiment showing a filter and canister; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment showing the filter and canister.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a filtration apparatus 200 may be attached to a vacuum cleaner, sweeper machine, or other suction-creating device. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 is made of molded or cast plastic, such as, for example thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer (e.g., Lexan®, a trademark of Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V., Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands). In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 is made of acrylic resin such as, for example, Lucite®, a trademark of Lucite International Inc., Cordova, Tenn., which is commercially available from a variety of vendors including Ridout Plastics Company (San Diego, Calif.). In another embodiment, the filtration apparatus may be made of metal or other lightweight material that renders it light enough to be hand-held by a person. In another embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 is composed of materials that are airtight and/or water resistant. Each component part of the filtration apparatus 200 may be composed of the same material, or of different materials.

The filtration apparatus 200 has a nozzle 700, a canister 600, and a trigger assembly 300, which form a continuous airtight pathway. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 is assembled of parts which may be separated and replaced. In another embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 is permanently assembled. The component parts of the filtration apparatus 200 may be attached fixedly or removably to permit cleaning, replacement, or the like. In one embodiment, the canister 600 is made of a material that is dishwasher-safe. In one embodiment, the nozzle 700 is composed of multiple units that may be separated and replaced. In another embodiment the nozzle 700 is flexible.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A, in one embodiment, an adapter 800 is sized to fit as an attachment to any commercially-available vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base. The adapter 800 has an adapter end 810 that is opposite to the adapter inlet 820. In one embodiment the adapter end 810 is tapered to securely and removably fit in a variety of commercially-available vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine bases, for example, via the intake hose of the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine. In another embodiment, the adapter 800 is sized to fit a particular make and model of sweeper machine. The filtration apparatus 200 may be easily removed from the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine when not in use.

Not shown in the Figures is a flexible hose 500, which may be of any length, that allows the filtration apparatus 200 to be hand-held and manipulated by a person without requiring the person also carry or manipulate the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base (not shown). In one embodiment, the flexible hose 500 is attached removably at a male hose end 520 to an outlet of the trigger assembly 330 and at a female hose end 510 to an adapter inlet 820. In another embodiment, the outlet of the trigger assembly 330 is attached removably to the adapter inlet 820. In another embodiment, the outlet of the trigger assembly 330 is attached fixedly to the adapter inlet 820.

Referring to FIG. 2A, Line A indicates the cross-section used in FIGS. 2B and 2C. The vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base generates suction that draws air from the nozzle intake 710 towards the trigger outlet 330. Direction B indicates the unfiltered airflow from the nozzle intake 710, through a canister intake 630 and into the canister 600. Direction C indicates the airflow from the canister 600 via a canister outlet 640, through a filter 410, and into the trigger assembly 300 by way of a trigger inlet 332.

In one embodiment, the canister 600 can hold approximately 3 quarts of solid waste. In another embodiment, the canister 600 can hold up to 2 gallons of liquid. In another embodiment, the canister 600 is watertight. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 accommodates liquid waste by drawing it into the canister 600 in Direction B via the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine. The canister 600 can be filled with dry and liquid waste up to the level of the filter 410. It is understood that canisters of different volumes and materials may be interchanged without departing from the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the filter 410 is a high efficiency particulate air filter, also known as a “HEPA” filter. In one embodiment, the filter 410 meets the US Department of Energy Technical Standard for HEPA Filters. In another embodiment, the filter 410 may be a fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other particulate filter, such as, for example, a high efficiency gas absorption or “HEGA” filter, an ultra-low penetration air or “ULPA” filter, or other air filter. It is contemplated that a variety of types of filters may be suitable for uses to which the present invention is applicable. Materials having properties rendering them substantially impermeable to particles including odors, dust, smoke, liquids, and other particles are well-known in the art, and are readily commercially available.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a container body 620 is removably attached to the filtration apparatus 200 at a container lid 610. In one embodiment, a container gasket 612 is disposed between the container lid 610 and the container body 620 to form and air- and watertight seal.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the filter 410 is enclosed within a filter case 440. In one embodiment, a filter gasket 442 is disposed between the filter case 440 and an outer surface 642 of the container outlet 640. In one embodiment, the filter 410 and the filter case 440 form a “sealed HEPA” system whereby no air may travel in Direction C without passing through filter 410.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the trigger assembly 300 receives the air leaving the canister 600 through the filter 410 at the trigger inlet 332 along Direction C. As shown in FIG. 2B, the trigger assembly 300 is in the closed position. In one embodiment, a trigger valve 340 is large enough to block the trigger outlet 330. In one embodiment, a trigger gasket 342 is disposed between the trigger valve 340 and an outlet surface 344.

As shown in FIG. 1, the trigger assembly 300 is in the open position allowing air to travel in Direction C from the canister 600 to the trigger outlet 330.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a trigger 310 has a stem end 312, a pivot point 314, and an operational end 316. In one embodiment, the stem end 312 is disposed within the trigger assembly 300 and the operational end 316 extends away from the trigger assembly 300. In one embodiment, the trigger 310 is rotatably fixed to the trigger assembly 300 at the pivot point 314 by a trigger pivot 370, which is, in one embodiment, a pin. In another embodiment, the trigger pivot 370 is a spring which maintains the trigger valve 340 in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2B unless, for example, a person moves the trigger 310.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the stem end 312 of the trigger 310 is rotatably fixed to a stem 350. The stem 350 has a trigger end 352 and a valve end 354. In one embodiment, the valve end 354 is fixed to the trigger valve 340. In another embodiment, the trigger valve 340 and the stem 350 are molded or formed of a single material. In one embodiment, the stem 350, the valve 340, and the trigger 320 are composed of materials which can resist powerful suction forces up to at least 300 airwatts.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the trigger 310 is moved, for example by a person's finger, the trigger 310 rotates around the trigger pivot 370. The trigger 310 moves the stem 350 towards the nozzle end 710, which in turn moves the valve 340 away from the trigger outlet 330. The space between the trigger outlet 330 and the valve 340 permits filtered air to travel in Direction C when the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base creates suction which pulls air from the canister 600 through the filter 410 and through the trigger assembly 300.

It is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention the valve 340 may be moved away from the trigger outlet 330 to permit airflow in Direction C by means other than a stem and trigger, including but not limited to an automatic or computerized valve, a valve operated by other manipulation such as twisting or unscrewing, or other means.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter apparatus comprising: a filter; a canister; and a valve, the valve permitting or preventing airflow through the filter.
 2. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve is operated by a trigger.
 3. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter is a high efficiency particulate air filter.
 4. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter is an ultra-low penetration air filter.
 5. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter is a high-efficiency gas absorption filter.
 6. The filter apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable canister.
 7. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein at the canister is formed of thermoplastic polymer.
 8. The filter apparatus of claim 2 wherein the trigger is spring-loaded.
 9. The filter apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a universal adapter to attach to a suction-generating machine.
 10. The filter apparatus of claim 8 wherein the universal adapter includes a flexible hose. 